Carlisle United play host to Bromley on Saturday afternoon desperately requiring maximum points to kick-start their survival bid.
At a time when the home side sit bottom of the League Two table, Bromley are in 11th spot and within six points of the playoffs.
Match preview
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When Carlisle put together a four-match unbeaten streak soon after the appointment of Mark Hughes, it felt like the experienced Welshman was in line to pull the club to safety.
Just one goal had been conceded during that quartet of fixtures, but Carlisle had still not resolved the issues in the final third that have plagued them all season.
Defeats to Harrogate Town and AFC Wimbledon have since followed, Carlisle netting just once in those games, to leave Hughes with only six points from his eight games in charge.
As a result, Carlisle sit nine points adrift of safety with 10 matches remaining at a time when they have earned just six wins from 36 games.
While two home games at Brunton Park are to come, the Cumbrians have recorded just two victories from their 18 home encounters in the fourth tier.
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Outside of the top teams in the division, there is an argument that Bromley have been the most impressive of the best of the rest in their first-ever League Two campaign.
When seven games passed by in all competitions without success, Andy Woodman may have had concerns regarding a relegation battle, but 16 points have been accumulated from their last eight games in the league.
Impressively, the wins in question have all come with clean sheets, meanwhile the two defeats have been by one-goal margins to Bradford City and Tranmere Rovers.
Last time out, Bromley earned a 2-2 draw with leaders Walsall, although the result was tinged with frustration given that they twice held a lead in that fixture.
A playoff push remains a possibility, however, with just six points separating them from seventh place ahead of several games with teams above them in the standings.
Team News
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Carlisle improved once Hughes had made second-half substitutes against AFC Wimbledon, making it likely that alterations will be made here.
Cedwyn Scott is in line to replace Joe Bevan on the right flank, while Elliot Embleton could feature on the opposite wing.
Matthew Dennis has netted twice in his last three outings and should keep his spot down the centre of the attack.
Meanwhile, Harry McKirdy could return to the Bromley XI after netting as a substitute against Walsall.
Whether Kamarl Grant drops out remains to be seen after his half-time withdrawal in that game, it plausible that McKirdy could play further forward.
After a nine-day break from action, the rest of the starting lineup may stay the same, with Michael Cheek looking to add to his 17 league goals.
Carlisle United possible starting lineup:
Breeze; Davies, Lavelle, Thomas, Harper; Vela, Guy; Scott, Harris, Embleton; Dennis
Bromley possible starting lineup:
Smith; Grant, Elerewe, Webster, Mayor; Arthurs, Charles; McKirdy, Thompson, Congreve; Cheek
We say: Carlisle United 1-2 Bromley
At some point, Carlisle will need to throw caution to the wind with draws not enough at this stage. That may come against an inconsistent Bromley side, yet we still feel the visitors will do enough to come through with the three points.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
